Black Tie Wedding Guest Dresses: What to Wear
A black tie wedding is one of those invitations where you really can dress up. If you’re wondering what to wear to a black tie wedding, the easiest answer is a long, elegant dress that feels special but still feels like you.
You don’t need a huge ball gown or head-to-toe sparkle. A beautifully fitted maxi, satin gown or simple floor-length dress with one strong detail is usually enough.
What Does Black Tie Mean for Women?
For women, black tie wedding attire usually means a formal evening gown or floor-length dress.
I’d choose a maxi dress over a mini, and in most cases over a midi too. It immediately looks more appropriate for an evening wedding and takes away the worry that you’re underdressed.
That doesn’t mean the dress has to be traditional. A corset bodice, side slit, open back, off-the-shoulder neckline or asymmetric cut can make a formal gown feel much more modern.
Explore our formal dresses, maxi dresses and evening dresses for ideas.
What Color Should You Wear to a Black Tie Wedding?
Black is absolutely appropriate for a black tie wedding. In fact, it’s one of my favorite choices because it always looks elegant and is incredibly easy to style.
If you want color, I’d look at:
Burgundy or deep red
Emerald green
Navy
Chocolate brown
Plum
Sapphire blue
For fall and winter weddings, these deeper shades look particularly beautiful in velvet and satin.
I’d avoid white, ivory, cream and anything so pale that it could photograph as white. The bride gets those colors.
The Best Black Tie Wedding Guest Dresses
The best silhouette depends on what you actually feel comfortable wearing.
A fitted formal maxi dress with a side slit gives you a sleek, glamorous look. A corset gown creates more definition through the waist, while a softer draped maxi feels romantic without being overly structured.
For fall and winter, I love velvet maxi dresses. For spring and summer, satin, chiffon and lighter fabrics usually feel better.
One thing I wouldn’t do is choose every dramatic detail at once. If the dress has a high slit, it probably doesn’t also need huge cut-outs, sequins and an extreme neckline.
One strong detail usually looks more expensive than five.
For more options, browse our wedding guest dresses and formal evening dresses.
Can You Wear a Midi Dress to a Black Tie Wedding?
Sometimes — but if you’re unsure, I’d wear the maxi.
A very elegant midi in satin, velvet or another formal fabric can work, particularly for a modern wedding. But a floor-length dress is the safer choice when the invitation specifically says black tie.
I’d much rather arrive slightly overdressed than spend the evening wondering whether everyone else understood the dress code differently.
What to Wear to a Fall or Winter Black Tie Wedding
This is where formal dressing gets really good.
For a fall black tie wedding, try burgundy, chocolate brown, forest green or navy. Satin works beautifully in early fall, while velvet starts to feel right as temperatures drop.
For a winter black tie wedding, black, emerald, burgundy and deep navy are hard to beat. Long sleeves, velvet and richer textures also feel completely natural at this time of year.
If you’re shopping for an autumn wedding, read our fall wedding guest dress guide or explore our velvet dresses.
How to Style a Black Tie Wedding Guest Dress
Once you’ve found the dress, don’t overcomplicate it.
If the gown has a dramatic neckline, wear earrings instead of adding a large necklace. If the back is the statement, consider wearing your hair up so you can actually see it.
A small evening bag and elegant heels are enough for most looks.
And please choose shoes you can walk in. A black tie wedding can mean hours of standing, cocktails and dancing. There is nothing glamorous about being miserable in your shoes by 9 p.m.
What Not to Wear to a Black Tie Wedding
I’d avoid:
White, ivory or bridal-looking dresses
Casual mini dresses
Everyday jersey fabrics
Casual shoes or bags
* Anything you have to constantly pull up or adjust
Sexy doesn’t automatically mean inappropriate either. A slit, low back or cut-out can look beautiful at a black tie wedding — balance is what matters.
If one part of the dress is dramatic, let the rest breathe.
Find Your Black Tie Wedding Guest Dress
The best black tie wedding guest dress should make you feel dressed for the occasion without making you feel like you’re wearing a costume.
Choose a long silhouette, beautiful fabric and one detail you love. Then keep everything else simple.
look.
With love,
Anna
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